Category Archives: Learning Spanish

We can all agree that one day a year is not enough to express the love we have for our moms. And no gift that we choose can be great enough to perfectly honor the fact that our moms brought us into the world and have loved us for our entire lives.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, we are forever indebted to our mothers. That’s why every August 15th in Costa Rica we ask ourselves, and now what can I give my mom? We make a long list in our minds of possibilities on the market, which bombards us with options of different products that would obligate us to set aside a big chunk of our paycheck to finance the endeavor. Which is the best gift: perfume, a blouse, a purse, an electronic or maybe a massage?

Let’s stop for a moment and analyze the situation. They dedicate their lives to see us grow up and be happy, without ever needing to go to a store and buy “love” to give us. The best Mother’s Day gift is all of the love, respect, understanding and dedication that we can shower on them. A few more days of the year should be dedicated to recognize the value of our moms, but the best thing would be to celebrate our moms each of the 365 days of the year…just because they deserve it.

On May 3rd, 1993, The United Nations declared World Press Freedom Day. It’s a day that commemorates and celebrates the freedom of speech and free press and the right to ethical, responsible information from the media regarding political, social, and economic topics.

Freedom of press is not a privilege in many countries around the world. Many people who are passionate about revealing the truth about corruption and living conditions in different countries have lost their lives trying to bring the truth to light.

In spite of the United Nations constant attempts, the fight for the fundamental rights to information, protection from censured information, excessive media surveillance, and secure internet journalism continues. These are all topics that the UN hopes to focus on and improve in 2016

We should value and appreciate our rights, and celebrate this day in hopes that freedom of press is made possible in all countries. Ethical and responsible communication has allowed many towns to avoid oppression from corrupt political groups and become sovereign governments.

Have you ever asked yourself what the word home means to you? Most people would say it’s a space shared with loved ones where love, safety, tranquility, and basic needs are satisfied.

Now that you’ve thought about it, you understand the tangible and intangible value that your home has. How would you like it if someone came and started destroying your home little by little, right under your nose? Of course you wouldn’t! So why do we allow our planet, our home, to be destroyed every day?

Earth is more than just a giant floating rock in our solar system. In fact, when you think about it, it’s even better than a five-star hotel. We have incredible oceans to explore, mountain ranges to climb, natural beauty to discover, rivers with water clean enough to drink, and more than enough food to share. On this Earth Day we should rethink how we take care of our home. We shouldn’t allow ourselves or others to cause more harm or to ignore what is happening all around us.

It is our responsibility to maintain the precious balance of natural resources. We know that they are being misused, and each day we are left with less and less. Earth has suffered unimaginable damages during its existence, and humans are contributing to the deterioration. Every time you witness mistreatment of our planet, think again about what home means to you. Be responsible. Save our water, air, animals, and green areas. Volunteer, plant a tree, recycle, and leave an impression.

Did you know that there are currently more than 400 million native Spanish speakers in the world?

On April 23rd we celebrate this beautiful language that allows millions of people to share their ideas, thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. We commemorate this day because, on a day not unlike today in the year 1616, Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra died. He was best known as the creator of the transcendental and internationally famous work El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha.

The Spanish language originated from a mixture of diverse languages of the inhabitants of the Iberian Peninsula and the influence of invaders (Roman, Arabic, and Scandinavian) in a process that lasted more than a thousand years. During the fifteenth century, with the union of the kings of Castilla and Aragón, “Castellano” was established and spread throughout the peninsula, eventually making its way to the Americas along with Christopher Columbus.

Each country has their own variation of Spanish due to differences in acculturalization and the mixing of different races, and each variation has become richer with the passing of time. Learning Spanish is not just about memorizing words, but rather about learning the culture, ideologies, values, and traditions of native speakers.

Learn Spanish! A great adventure awaits you! Fall in love with the language and let it take you to countries rich with natural, cultural, musical, and literal beauty.

You can feel the happiness in the streets when the people shout “It smells like a party!” Every year in February the much anticipated Civic Parties are celebrated in Liberia, The White City. These ten day long parties have social and cultural roots, and are full of Guanacastecan activities.

It all begins with the first diana (a tradition where musicians in the back of a truck play music throughout the town) that departs from the central park at 4:45am. Children and adults of all ages on bikes, foot, or however you like follow the music through different neighborhoods of the Liberia district announcing the start of the activities. The rhythm of the cimarronas (traditional Guanacaste music) wakes people from their beds to follow the diana and happily and energetically start the day great, or “con toda la pata”, as the locals say.

At mid-day you can hear the fireworks announcing the start of the tope (a traditional horse parade) where the former Queen graciously says goodbye to Liberia. Later at night, in the central park, the coronation and crowning of the Samaria Montero Lady as newly elected Queen for the Liberia Civic Parties of 2016 takes place.

There is no chance of you being bored, and no reason to stay asleep at home. Start the day early with the diana and enjoy a delicious traditional breakfast in the “coyol” ranch. After that, saddle up your horse at noon and join the tope on the historical bridge. Then, in the Toros Camilo Reyes Monumental Plaza you can watch the rustic Guanacaste bull riders at 3pm, and again at 9pm. And if that’s not enough for you- come to the central park at 8pm and dance to the rhythm of the music played by national bands.

Come and try some coyol wine, eat delicious arroz de maíz with a “horchata” sweet milk drink, and have an afternoon coffee with a traditional chorreada corn cake. This beautiful land has much to offer with the warmth of its people and its picturesque culture. Come and enjoy a unique experience to the sound of the marimba. Strap on your boots and we’ll see you at the party!

The Estelar student of the month is…Maureen O’Hara from Canada! She came to us on the first Monday of the year with excitement to learn Spanish, a friendly smile, and a wonderful openness to enjoy her time in Liberia. Maureen is a strong, intelligent and determined woman. She was our star student in dance class, thanks to her strong sense of rhythm. We hope to enjoy her company again someday. Thank you, Maureen!

The colorful culture of Costa Rica has a variety of Christmas traditions that range from religious and cultural to family-oriented. For Ticos, the arrival of Christmas means celebrating the birth of the savior child Jesus, making “tamales” with the family, and finishing the year with “Los Festejos Populares en San José” (a cultural and economic activity in San José).

Niño Dios (Baby Jesus): This is the most important thing that is celebrated at Christmas. For the USA and other countries, Santa Claus is the one who brings gifts for the kids, but in Costa Rica, it is Niño Dios who brings gifts to the kids.

Portal (Nativity Scene): This is more important than the Christmas tree! It is a representation of Jesus’ birth in a manger with a set of clay figures of Mary, Jesus, animals and others. With a lot of creativity, every family creates their own nativity scene with lights, dry grass, and a wooden stable.

Posadas: Before December 24 are the “Posadas,” an activity in which two kids dress like Mary and Joseph, and they are accompanied by their families and friends as they visit houses, sing Christmas carols, and ask for “posada” (shelter for the night). At the end, the hosts provide refreshments with horchata (typical drink), cookies, apples, and candies. Kids enjoy this activity a lot!

Child walk: On the night of December 24, a baby carriage decorated with colorful flowers, lights, and fabrics is taken to the main Catholic Church of the city. Inside the carriage is a beautiful figure of baby Jesus, which is finally placed in the nativity scene of the church. This is a beautiful parade where participating families sing and feel joyful.

Family tradition: All Costa Rican families meet to make “tamales,” a traditional dish made of corn dough, pork, rice, potatoes, sweet peppers, onions and a secret house ingredient. The tamale is wrapped in a banana leaf. This dish cannot be missing in any home, and eating it with coffee is the best! Is a tradition that friends and families share tamales.

Christmas Dinner: On the night of December 24, families meet to share and await the birth of Jesus at midnight. Families plan a dinner in the backyard or on the sidewalk or street where they live. They share traditional dishes, like pork leg, and enjoy eggnog and music. It is a happy night!

Festejos Populares: On December 25, the province of San Jose, capital of Costa Rica, celebrates “Los Festejos Populares de fin de año.” This is a cultural and economic event with activities like the Tope Nacional (national horse parade) and Toros a la Tica (bull riding). They are televised and enjoyed by all Ticos.